More minutes than for Al-Hilal
© Imago
Neymar finds the fun of football at the FC Santos youth club. In the 3-0 against fourth division internacional de Limeira, the 33-year-old shone in the final preliminary round of the Camponato Paulista with three scorers and a Gol Olímpico-a directly converted corner.
“That happened twice. I wanted to run a corner, she provoked me and I asked her to sing louder. And I gave the first assist. The second time I wanted to run the corner, they said it again, and I thought: now I shoot a goal. I gave a great shot and shot my first Gol Olímpico, ”said Neymar, who even received applause from the opposing fans after the goal, after the final whistle at“Cazétv“.
Two other corner kicks found the head of striker Tiquinho Soares, after a good half an hour the game was decided. After almost a month for Santos, Neymar comes to five scorers in six games in which he was on the pitch for 432 minutes-more than in one and a half years in Saudi Arabia. For Al-Hilal, it was only 428 minutes in seven missions due to injury, in which Neymar contributed a goal and three templates.
After 509 days, the offensive star against Inter de Limeira was on the pitch for the first time. “He hadn’t played for 90 minutes for a long time. It was also important for him that he had this role (…) when it comes to his development, ”said coach Pedro Caixinha. The state championship, in which many subclass team also take part, seems to be a good way for Neymar to get back to the previous level of performance-something that was no longer really expected after the cruciate ligament rupture at Al-Hilal.
“I look from game to game, I prepare more and more, I feel physically better and better on the pitch. Of course I will not be 19 anymore, I miss that. But I feel physically well, I feel better and better, I’m always more relaxed on the pitch, ”said Neymar, who also gives priority to the fitness area instead of the space in the tightly tapped weeks in Brazilian football – he still sees below the Série A a significant need for improvement.
“The field made it very difficult for us, as did the light. That bothers a bit, ”complained Neymar after his gala evening. “If you want quality football, if you want competitive football, you need a field. If the place is bad, it will be difficult. The CBF (Football Association of Brazil; the editor) should be obliged to talk about playing fields together with FIFA. The players should find a high quality field where they can play. I think that will help Brazilian football a lot. “
Neymar hopes for the first title with Santos and Brazil comeback
After the Triumphen 2010, 2011 and 2012, Neymar scores the fourth success with Santos in the state championship of São Paulo. As the winner of Group B in the quarter -finals, a larger chunk is now waiting with Red Bull Bragantino. “We are satisfied with our swing, our team plays better and better,” said Neymar confidently – he dreams of even larger tasks with the Seleção.
“Of course, every player wants to defend his country and colors. It was always a great honor for me, I always have the maximum, I always gave 100 percent for the Brazilian national team. This is the place where I prefer. I like to represent Brazil and the Brazilian people, ”said the record goalkeeper. “If I ever get the chance to return to the Brazilian national team, I would be very happy.”